Applicability of discrete element method with spherical and clumped particles for constitutive study of granular materials

Qu, Tongming; Wang, Min; Feng, Yuntian

doi:10.1016/j.jrmge.2021.09.015

Applicability of discrete element method with spherical and clumped particles for constitutive study of granular materials

Journal Article · Sat Dec 11 00:00:00 EST 2021 · Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2021.09.015· OSTI ID:1880500

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Swansea University, Wales (United Kingdom)
Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Discrete element method (DEM) has been intensively used to study the constitutive behaviour of granular materials. However, to what extent a real granular material can be reproduced by virtual DEM simulations remains unclear. This study attempts to answer this question by comparing DEM simulations with typical features of experimental granular materials. Three groups of models with spherical and clumped particles are investigated from four perspectives: (i) deviatoric stress and volumetric behaviour; (ii) critical state behaviour; (iii) stress-dilatancy relationship; and (iv) the evolution of principal stress ratio against axial strain. The results demonstrate that DEM with spherical or clumped particles is capable of qualitatively describing macroscopic deviatoric stress responses, volumetric behaviour, and critical state behaviour observed in experiments for granular materials. On the other hand, some qualitative deviations between experiments and the investigated DEM simulations are also observed, in terms of the stress-dilatancy behaviour and principal stress ratio against axial strain, which are proven to be critical for constitutive modelling. The results demonstrate that DEM with spherical or clumped particles may not necessarily fully capture experimental features of granular materials even from a qualitative perspective. It is thus encouraged to thoroughly validate DEM with experiments when developing constitutive models based on DEM observations.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: 89233218CNA000001

OSTI ID:: 1880500

Report Number(s):: LA-UR-21-32215

Journal Information:: Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Journal Name: Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 14; ISSN 1674-7755

Publisher:: Chinese Society for Rock Mechanics and Engineering - ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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